Whether you are a start-up, or want to get your business online, you are probably wondering which would be the best option: a website or Facebook page for your business?
In an ideal world of course, the answer would be “both” simply because you shouldn’t put all your eggs in the one basket.
But the reality is that if you are a small business or start-up, you probably don’t have a lot of money to spend on these things, so you will have to make a choice: a website, or Facebook?
Facebook Page or Website?
And there lies the major appeal of setting up a Facebook page: it’s free.
There are literally millions of people on Facebook, plus it’s also fairly straightforward so you can be connecting with customers in no time.
BUT …
Unless you have budget to put into advertising, not many people will see your page.
There are other things to consider:
- You need to be posting quality content regularly to make the most of your Facebook page.
- It’s not really set up for ecommerce (so you can sell products online).
- And, it doesn’t look terribly professional on your business cards, to have a Facebook link rather than a website.
The biggest negative in my opinion however, is that you don’t own your Facebook page.
Virtual Real Estate
Think of your business website or Facebook page as virtual real estate.
You own your website, whereas you are just renting space on Facebook – and there are risks associated with that.
For a start it means that Facebook gets to set the rules, and can (and does!) change them with little to no warning.
Facebook could collapse tomorrow and you would lose not only all the content and the hard work you’ve put into your Facebook page, but also your customer contacts.
It might seem unlikely but it can and DOES happen. I started out blogging on a platform called Themestream at the end of the 90’s. When the site went belly up, I lost all of my content except for the odd post I’d saved to my computer. How devastating!
And, your competitors can actually target the people visiting your Facebook page, with their ads! Would you put your competitors’ ads on your website? I don’t think so!
Why A Website is Better than Facebook
You are the one in control of your website, not Facebook.
So why do small business owners and start-ups balk at the thought of getting a website?
Cost.
Most people don’t have the skills to set up their own website, and getting a website costs thousands – doesn’t it?
Not necessarily.
There are ways … you might have a web savvy friend or family member willing to help out.
But even if you don’t, it is possible to have a professional looking website set up for around $500 – check out my related businesses page to find somebody to help you with that.
The Best of Both Worlds
Having a Facebook page in conjunction with a website however is the ideal.
That’s because Facebook is a great way for people to connect and communicate with your business – and you can grow a following quickly.
However, don’t gather “likes” simply for the sake of it. As a savvy business owner, Facebook can be used as part of your marketing strategy – to get people on your website, or your email list. It makes more sense to invest in what you own, not what you rent – whether online, or in real life.
